The Focus Report

Why This Gen Z'er Doesn't Own a Smart Phone | Gabriela Nguyen

What happens when you grow up as the smartphone generation and then decide to put the phone down? In this episode, Olivia sits down with Gabriela Nguyen, founder of Appstinence, a Gen Z-led movement fighting to reclaim what we've lost to our screens. Together they dig into the real cost of a childhood shaped by devices, why social media has quietly rewired how an entire generation connects, and what it actually feels like to live without an iPhone in 2026. Gabriela isn't interested in the tired "kids these days" narrative. She's building something different, a movement rooted in the belief that our relationships deserve more than likes and comments, that depth and presence aren't luxuries, and that Gen Z might be uniquely positioned to lead us all toward a healthier relationship with technology. Whether you're exploring digital wellness tools like the Opal app or curious why your phone has power over your attention, this conversation will make you think twice about the device in your pocket. In this episode: In this episode Olivia and Gabriela discuss why growing up with phones created challenges previous generations never faced, how modern technology shapes developing minds, what the Appstinence movement is really about, and why Gen Z is leading it. Practical wisdom for anyone ready to take back their time and attention. Links * Appstinence Website [https://appstinence.org/] * Olivia Unplugged TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@olivia.unplugged] * Olivia Unplugged YouTube [https://opal.so/olivia.unplugged.yt] * Olivia Unplugged Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/olivia.unplugged.ig/] * Download Opal [https://www.opal.so/]

Catherine Price - How To Make Room For Fun

Opal CEO Kenneth Schlenker interviews Catherine Price [https://catherineprice.com/] about her upcoming book The Amazing Generation. [https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/book/amazinggeneration#preorder] In this wide-ranging conversation they discuss the importance and power of fun, how digital distractions take away your ability to live and connect, and some practical advice on how to live a fulfilling life that's not hijacked my phones. About Catherine Price Catherine Price is an award-winning health and science journalist, speaker, and founder of the Screen/Life Balance movement. She’s a bestselling author whose work helps people rethink their relationship with technology and find more joy and presence in life. Her books include How to Break Up With Your Phone, The Power of Fun, Vitamania, and the forthcoming The Amazing Generation (co-authored with Jonathan Haidt). Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Slate, Popular Science, and more, and her TED talk on fun has been viewed millions of times.  About The Amazing Generation The Amazing Generation: How to Choose Fun and Freedom in a Screen-Filled World is a new book for kids and early teens (roughly 9–12) co-authored by Catherine Price and Jonathan Haidt. Inspired by Haidt’s The Anxious Generation, it’s a handbook for living a happy, adventurous life that isn’t dominated by screens. The book mixes surprising facts, interactive challenges, a graphic-novel style, and real stories from young adults to help readers build confidence and choose a life full of fun and connection, not distraction. It’s set for release on December 30, 2025.  Links & Resources The Amazing Generation [https://catherineprice.com/amazinggeneration] Catherine’s Substack [https://catherineprice.substack.com/] Catherine’s website [https://catherineprice.com/] Catherine's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/catherinepriceofficial/?hl=en] & YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUfs-L59PXlgDb3lAQT0JLw] Download OPAL today. [https://www.opal.so/] Use code OPAL for 15% off printable workbooks and courses at catherineprice.com [http://catherineprice.com/] Use code OPAL to get 15% off an annual subscription on Catherine's Substack:  https://catherineprice.substack.com/170067b0 [https://catherineprice.substack.com/170067b0].

The Focus Report - Podcast Trailer

Your focus is under attack in the digital age. The Focus Report fights back through expert conversations exploring digital wellness, productivity, and the cultural forces reshaping how we think. Uncover cutting-edge focus strategies, breakthrough research, and proven work methods that maximize your output. From app blockers to screen time mastery, we reveal how technology rewires your brain—and how to take control. Ready to reclaim your attention? The revolution starts here.

David Allen | Getting Things Done in the Digital Age

Kenneth Schlenker, CEO of Opal sat down down with David Allen, the legendary productivity expert and author of the international bestseller Getting Things Done, to explore what focus and productivity mean in the digital age. For over two decades, David Allen’s Getting Things Done (GTD) method has transformed how millions of people organise their work and lives, helping them reduce stress, increase clarity, and find calm productivity in a world of constant distractions. In this exclusive interview with Kenneth, we dive into the timeless principles of GTD and how they apply to our modern, tech-driven world. Together, they discuss how to maintain focus, build better habits, and create mental space amid digital overwhelm. From practical strategies for task management and workflow organisation to reflections on digital wellness, this conversation bridges classic productivity wisdom with the realities of today’s notification-saturated world. * GTD Newsletter [https://gettingthingsdone.us8.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=4fdf2cadb358acc7c1c1ca8bd&id=401af87702] * David Allen on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@gtd]

Ari Engelberg | Opal For Schools

Opal for Schools is tackling one of the hardest challenges in education today: phones in the classroom. Opal CEO Kenneth Schlenker sat down with Ari Engelberg, Head of Communications & Strategic Initiatives at Harvard-Westlake School [https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvard-westlake-school/], the first school to partner with Opal for Schools. They discuss the challenge of phone bans, the real impact of mobile devices on student focus, and how Opal is helping schools create digital balance, without taking away their freedom. Learn more about Opal For Schools: https://www.opal.so/for-schools [https://www.opal.so/for-schools]